Lilly Ulrich and Monetenegro garnered the Grand Junior Hunter Championship at the 66th Buffalo International Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG)
The BIHS is the largest fundraiser for the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center's therapeutic students-most of who are financially supported by this show. The generous support of donations, sponsors and exhibitors are only a few of the ways the BTRC raises money to fund the therapeutic riding program and cater to groups such as Be A Friend, Kids Escaping Drugs and St. Mary's School for the Deaf, as well as over 100 independent students challenged by autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
The Junior Hunter divisions got underway bright and early this morning, completing the final classes of the division. The Grand Junior Hunter Championship was awarded to Lilly Ulrich showing Montenegro, owned by B&B Ltd. of Skaneateles, NY. The duo also rode to the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunter division championship, making a clean sweep of the division. The reserve tricolor of the division was also awarded to Ulrich and her second mount of the class, Clover, owned by Sail Horse Investments.
"Monty is a really fun ride, I am so lucky to be able to have the ride from B&B Ltd," Ulrich described. "His jump is so smooth and big, all he really needs is a soft ride. I just wanted to go out there and do the best that I could. This was my first time showing him, and I am so happy with how it went. I hope to ride Monty in a few more classes over the duration of the season."
Marguerite Heberle and Starring Role were awarded the Large 16-17 Junior Hunter Championship, with Luke Olsen and Lions Paw, owned by Danny Robertshaw of Camden, SC, taking the reserve championship. Heberle rode Starring Role to two additional first place finishes today, securing the championship.
In the Small 15 and Under Junior Hunter, it was Claudia Freeman and Clockwork, owned by the Morrisville College Foundation, who rode to the top of the ranks. The pair was dually awarded the championship for their impressive efforts over fences. Ulrich returned with Fortune Hunter, owned by Up the Creek Farm, riding to an additional first place ribbon over fences to take the reserve championship.
"I started riding him last October, and it has been so great," Freeman explained. "He has a really easy ride. You just have to look for the distance and he is there for you. I think we make a great team, and we have a good partnership. We are going to Capital Challenge and Harrisburg. The Buffalo International Horse Show has definitely been a highlight."
Maryann Osborne and Mine took control of the Small 16-17 Junior Hunters, capturing the championship with an additional two first place ribbons over fences during today's competition. Bella Cramer was presented with the reserve championship for her efforts aboard North Coast, owned by Ashley Foster.
"I have had Mine for a little over a year now, and we have been showing and doing really well. I am hoping to do well in the Indoor circuit, especially after the preparation we have had here. We had a great Junior Hunter Finals with each other, and I hope our success continues."
Osborne continued, "He needs a really supporting leg and he can sometimes be lazy, but once he gets in the ring he knows his job. He went really great today, and I feel as though we are prepared for Capital Challenge."
After the presentations, the $1,000 Up the Creek Farm Junior Hunter Classic began. Heberle and Starring Role entered the classic with a first-round score of 83, and combined with her second-round score of 84, the pair took the top honors with a cumulative score of 167 points. They beat Ulrich and Montenegro by a narrow two-point difference, with Ulrich picking up the second place. The third place honors were presented to Maryann Osborne and Mine, finishing with a final score of 164 points.
Next in the scheduled order were the Pony Hunter divisions. Morgan Ward and Rockport, owned by Hannah Holik, were awarded the Small/Medium Pony Hunter Championship, with Emma Kurtz and Grand All Over, owned by David Gochman of New York, NY, taking the reserve championship.
"I just got Rockport for Pony Finals, and we had a great time together," Ward explained. "He is a really easy horse to ride. He is so handy and smooth. He makes the turns come up really nicely. Unfortunately I age out this year, so he is for sale, but this was such a nice show to add to our wins."
"They really make a big deal about the competitors at this show, you get really beautiful hand painted gifts that really mean something, the courses are fantastic, and the people are wonderful," Ward concluded.
Kurtz returned to the ring in the Large Pony Hunters with the talented Mapleside Denzel, owned by Nancy Baginski. The duo was awarded the Large Pony Hunter Championship, and Kurtz also collected the reserve championship aboard Aladdin, owned by Spencer Chapin. Kurtz was also congratulated and presented with the Grand Pony Hunter Championship for her brilliant efforts aboard Mapleside Denzel.
"He is pretty much the perfect pony," Kurtz smiled. "He is so sweet, and I love his jump, it is beautiful and so smooth. Both of my ponies are very similar, Mapleside Denzel and Aladdin have both helped me with my confidence and vice vera. I had a great time out there with the handy today. We had a great time taking the turns and keeping a strong pace. This show has such beautiful jumps, the venue is amazing and historical."
"This is only my second year here, and I couldn't wait to come back this year. This is definitely one of my top favorite shows," Kurtz remarked.
The Children's Pony Hunter division commenced shortly after, with Olivia Sala and Asgard Mercury riding to the top awards. Sala was awarded two first place ribbons and the second place ribbon over fences, as well as the top position in the model. Maggie Robinson and Dawn's Early Light, owned by K J Robinson LLC, were awarded with the reserve championship.
Sala's success continued into the $500 Children's Hunter Pony Classic. The pair rode to the first-round score of 65, making a huge comeback in the second round to earn an 80, and an overall score of 145 points. Robinson and Dawn's Early Light rode to the second place finish, with Amanda Schurr and Jamaica, owned by Lindsay Cornell of Ransomville, NY, taking the third.
"He is like the best pony in the world, he is so fun to ride. He will tell you what you are doing wrong, but he will fix it for you," Sala explained. "I have been riding him for about three month, and I have already learned so much during my time with him. It felt really cool to lead the victory gallop, they really make you feel special here."
Concluding the afternoon's competition, the Children's Hunter divisions completed their second day of competition and showed in the $500 "Say Hey" Children's Hunter Classic. In the Children's 14 and Under Hunter division, Namesake and Ava Gurney came out on top with the championship prize. Katie Jacobs showed Ranier, owned by CMJ Sporthorse LLC, to the reserve championship. It was Taylor Duerr and Starstruck who took the championship in the Children's 15-17 Hunters, with Christina Bamann and Becoming taking the reserve championship.
"Starstruck felt really good going in today, he really likes it here," Duerr said. "I really liked the courses today, they were challenging enough but still so fun. This was my first year coming to the Buffalo International Horse Show, and I will definitely come back with this being my big prep for Indoors."
"I like the way this show is run, it is run so well, and most of my barn came out here this year, so we had a great time here at the show and around the city of Buffalo," Duerr concluded.
It was a fantastic day for Emma Bergqvist and her mount I M Superlative as the pair topped the "Say Hey" Children's Hunter Classic with the top score of 146. Julia Betts and Amherst were awarded the second place for their score of 145 points. Katie Jacobs and Ranier rounded out the top three with a final score of 144 points.
Sunday's competition concluded the 2012 Buffalo International Horse Show for its 66th annual competition. The BIHS is held each year as a benefit for the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and had another fantastic week of competition thanks to the many exhibitors and all those involved. The talk of the show circled around how well managed and coordinated it was in its entirety. Course Designer and Show Manager Brian Brown was held in high esteem, with numerous compliments surrounding not only his course designs, but also the effectiveness, efficiency and etiquette of his team.
"This is what most horse shows should aspire to be," Luke Olsen stated. "They really do a great job with the courses, the scheduling, the stabling and the presentations. There is something about Buffalo that really makes it stand out. It isn't only the history and the prestige, but also the people."
For more information regarding the 66th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show, please call (716) 877-9295 or visit www.thebtrc.org.